With one week to go in the regular season, week 16 of the NFL was important for several former NC State football players and their teams as they tried to lock up playoff spots. For others whose hopes of a postseason are gone, it was a matter of trying to end the season on as much of a high note as possible. Here is a recap of how some of the Pack pros fared in the penultimate week of the NFL season.
Nyheim Hines, Running Back, Indianapolis Colts
A week after his team was eliminated from the playoffs, Nyheim Hines lit up the Carolina Panthers, scoring two punt-return touchdowns in a 38-6 victory. His first was an 84-yard return in the first quarter that put the Colts up 14-0 and was the first punt-return TD by a Colts player since 2012. His second was for 71 yards in the fourth quarter and with it he became the first player in Colts history with two punt-return touchdowns in the same game. Hines’ electric speed is no unfamiliar sight to those in North Carolina, as he had two kick-return touchdowns and one punt-return touchdown in his career at NC State. His touchdowns on Sunday were the first punt-return touchdowns of his NFL career.
Jacoby Brissett, Quarterback, Indianapolis Colts
After a disappointing performance last week against the New Orleans Saints, Jacoby Brissett did what he needed to do this week to get a win over a Panthers team that has collapsed in the second half of the NFL season. While he was not overly impressive throwing the football (14 for 27, 119 yards, 0 touchdowns), Brissett was able to hold on to the ball and not throw any interceptions. He also contributed to the team’s 218 rushing yards by adding 37 yards of his own on the ground and scored the game’s first touchdown on a quarterback sneak.
Philip Rivers, Quarterback, Los Angeles Chargers
In what could have been his final home game with the Chargers, Philip Rivers went 27 of 39 for 279 yards passing, but once again couldn’t get his team over the hump as the Chargers fell to the Oakland Raiders 24-17. It was the Chargers’ fifth loss in their last six games, dropping their record to 5-10 in a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations after making it to the divisional round of the playoffs a year ago. This was also the last game the Chargers will play in their current stadium in Carson, California before moving into SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California with the LA Rams for the 2020 season. Chargers fans have been outnumbered at almost every home game since they have relocated to Los Angeles from San Diego, giving them virtually no home-field advantage. Rivers’ future in LA remains uncertain as his contract expires at the end of this season.
Russell Wilson, Quarterback, Seattle Seahawks
A week after taking the top seed in the NFC playoff picture, Russell Wilson and the Seattle Seahawks were stunned on Sunday by the Arizona Cardinals, falling 27-13 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Washington. This latest performance by the Seahawks seems to be part of a “One Step Forward, Two Steps Back” dance routine they have put on in recent weeks, for as soon as they reach the top spot in the NFC, they lose and fall back into the wild card. Against the Cardinals, Wilson went 16 of 31 for 169 yards passing and one touchdown. His 169 yards through the air marks his lowest passing total of the season. Despite falling into the wildcard spot, the Seahawks have an opportunity to win the NFC West this week as they go up against the San Francisco 49ers in Seattle.
Kentavius Street, Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers
In the second game of his pro career, Kentavius Street had three tackles, including one tackle for loss against the Los Angeles Rams on Saturday night as the 49ers downed last year’s Super Bowl runners-up 34-31 to knock them out of playoff contention. Street missed all of the 2018 NFL season due to a torn ACL he suffered during his Pro Day in 2018, and it was not until last week that he made his professional debut against the Atlanta Falcons. He recorded one tackle in that game. Next week, the 49ers will travel to Seattle to take on the Seahawks in a primetime showdown that will determine the winner of the NFC West.
Kelvin Harmon, Wide Receiver, Washington
The rookie receiver posted a career-high 58 yards on five receptions as Washington fell to the New York Giants 41-35 in overtime. It was the third time this season that Harmon has gone for more than 50 yards in a game, bringing his season total up to 332 yards on 27 receptions. He now has the 16th most receiving yards of all NFL rookies this season, just behind fellow NC State alum Jakobi Meyers. He also completed a pass for 11 yards.
Germaine Pratt, Linebacker, Cincinnati Bengals
The rookie recorded a career-high 12 tackles including two tackles for loss as the Bengals lost to the Miami Dolphins 38-35 in overtime. It was the second straight game that Pratt had 10 or more tackles, bringing his season total to 49. He now has the 11th-most tackles of all NFL rookies this season.
B.J. Hill, Defensive Tackle, New York Giants
Hill recorded his first sack of 2019 along with two tackles for loss in the Giants’ 41-35 overtime win over the Redskins. He now has 14 tackles in his second year in the NFL.
Jakobi Meyers, Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
The rookie receiver caught three passes for 25 yards as the Patriots defeated the Buffalo Bills 24-17 to win their 11th straight AFC East title. Meyers now has 26 catches on the year for 359 yards.
Stephen Hauschka, kicker, Buffalo Bills
Despite a losing effort against the Patriots, Stephen Hauschka made all three of his kicking attempts for the Buffalo Bills, including a 35-yard field goal and two extra points. Hauschka has now connected on 76.9% of his field goal attempts on the season (29th in the league) and is 93.8% on extra points (T-27th.)
Jaylen Samuels, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
JaySam had three carries for seven yards and four receptions for 32 yards in a disappointing 16-10 loss for the Steelers against the New York Jets. The Steelers need a win next week against the Baltimore Ravens and a loss from the Tennessee Titans to clinch a berth in the playoffs.
